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A Year in Review: Coronavirus and Your Mental Health

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A little over a year into the pandemic and many of us still feel a sense of anxiety. Odds are, you know someone who was diagnosed with COVID-19, perhaps even yourself. But beyond the physical symptoms of the virus lies the mental health crisis. Whether you’ve faced financial hardship, experienced the virus firsthand, know someone who lost their battle to COVID-19, or feel weary about the vaccine — these are all valid concerns. And how we cope with the stress is important.

According to a recent survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, nearly 1 in 4 adults have turned to alcohol consumption as a way to manage their stress during the pandemic. 61 percent of adults have experienced undesired weight changes. 47 percent reported delaying or canceling health care services in the last year — meaning they didn’t receive the proactive care they need to stay healthy. These numbers are overwhelming, but not surprising. Here are some tips to help you regain focus on your mental health and overcome stress.

Support your adrenals

To understand how your body reacts to stress, look at your adrenals. Your adrenal glands produce stress hormones like cortisol during times of distress. If your adrenals are constantly working overtime to produce this hormone — meaning you’re under chronic stress for an extended period of time — additional symptoms may follow. To avoid triggering your cortisol levels to spike, swap any high-intensity workouts for low-impact exercises like yoga and stretching or walking. As the weather gets warmer, get outdoors for a hike or some yard work.

Manage your weight

When we’re under an immense amount of stress, we may experience unwanted fluctuations in our weight. This has to do with numerous factors, including lack of sleep and oftentimes, overeating as a result of those high cortisol levels. Instead of adding more stress to your life by trying to lose those extra pounds, shift your focus to maintaining your current weight instead. Caffeine, gluten, alcohol, saturated fats, and processed sugar can irritate the body so try introducing more anti-inflammatory foods that are high in antioxidants instead. This includes broccoli, kale, grapefruit, avocados, and cauliflower. These foods help support your adrenals and ultimately, reduce your stress. Combined with daily exercise, eating a well-balanced diet will help you stay healthy and feel your best.

Make the day yours

Masks, social distancing, and a work-from-home lifestyle may have become the norm for now, but that doesn’t mean these changes to your daily schedule will last forever. If it has been challenging to stay grounded during the pandemic, add something you look forward to into your daily routine. Consider introducing meditation to your morning or ending each day with a cup of tea. Doing so will allow you to be more intentional with your time and protect your sanity.

Ready to bring balance and vitality back into your life? Connect with us online or give us a call (901) 312-7899.

4 Ways to Support your Mental Health Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic

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During times of uncertainty, it’s normal to experience feelings of anxiety and helplessness. Right now, many of us are concerned about how coronavirus (COVID-19) will impact our physical health. But that’s not the only thing at risk. Beyond the fear of becoming ill, lies concerns about our finances, our loved ones, and our future. Which raises the question: How do you address your mental health during a pandemic?

If you are struggling to cope with coronavirus anxiety, here are four ways you can support your mental health.

Limit News Consumption

When there’s nowhere to go and not much to do, it’s no surprise that we frantically turn to our devices to keep up with the latest news. But if what you hear and read makes you feel more anxious than informed, it may be time to set some boundaries. Moving forward, rely on just 1-2 credible news sources for information and set time limits to avoid a downward spiral. For example, you may choose to scroll social media while your coffee brews in the morning, watch your local news during lunch, and catch up with the national news after you put the kids to bed. Creating a schedule will allow you to be more intentional with your time, limit distractions, and protect your sanity.

Develop a routine

Whether you’re adjusting to a work-from-home lifestyle or trying to manage a house full of children again (or maybe even both at the same time), this “new normal” has likely disrupted your everyday routine. We’re navigating an ever-changing environment, so be patient with yourself and find the silver linings. These unique circumstances give us an opportunity to reevaluate the ways we manage health and well-being for ourselves and our families. 

Carve out time each week for meal prep, meditation, exercise, and sleep. To limit trips to the market and keep your healthy diet on track, try a grocery delivery service. To lower your stress hormones, commit to 15 minutes of meditation per day. While gyms are temporarily closed, there are many home workouts available online. If you can maintain 6-foot distancing, you may even consider a brisk walk around your neighborhood. At the end of the day, practice good sleep hygiene by removing technology from your bedroom and making a cup of tea or journaling to calm your mind. Above all else, stick to a consistent schedule.

Stay connected to loved ones

Social distancing is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19, but it can very quickly lead to feelings of loneliness. Now more than ever, people are turning to apps like FaceTime and Skype to keep in touch with friends and family. Through the unprecedented challenges that coronavirus is forcing us to deal with, we’re presented with a unique opportunity to connect in new ways. This may mean hosting a virtual happy hour or book club with colleagues, coordinating an online trivia night with your neighbors, or mailing a hand-written letter to your elderly family member.

Discover a new hobby

Feeling a bit stir crazy? You’re not alone. Self-isolation has left us with an abundance of free time, but choosing how to spend it has proven to be a challenge. Whether you need a positive way to cope or a self-esteem boost — try picking up a new hobby or rediscovering an old one. Sinking into a book or podcast, organizing your home, baking, and crafting have all shown therapeutic benefits. No matter what activity you choose, let it bring you while you stay healthy and safe indoors. 

For the latest coronavirus information and resources, visit the CDC website.